THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINA 


ENDOWED  BY  THE 
DIALECTIC  AND  PHILANTHROPIC 
SOCIETIES 


FI758 
,C6 


APR  j  3  197* 

JUN  1  5  HOT 


This  book  is  due  at  the  LOUIS  R.  WILSON  LIBRARY  on  the 
Isl  date  stamped  under  "Date  Due."  If  not  on  hold  it  may  be 
renewed  by  bringing  it  to  the  library. 

DATE 

LI  U  l 

RET. 

UN  1  57* 

DATE  RET. 
DUE 

^  ^  v  1  a  v 



wH  j 

*    J  -i 

="i"" """    1  AM  0  : 
—  JAN 

^4005  



PR  2  5  : 

-        '  ■ 

1 

Lf  

I  APR  2  4 

L=  

NOV  0  4- 

1999 — 

■  i 

|NUY  II 

Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/cubaoursisterrepOOcoxj 


CUBA 


OUR  SISTER  REPUBLIC. 

Its  People,  its  Resources  and  its  Possibilities,  with  a  review  of  its  long  struggle  for  freedom,  and  its  ultimate  success,  together  with  a 
Magnificent  Pictorial  Presentation  of  its  Mountains,  Valleys,  Harbors,  Rivers,  Cities,  Provinces,  etc.,  etc. 

HISTORICAL  AND  DESCRIPTIVE  TEXT  BY 

COLONEL  JAMES  COX, 

Author  of  "Our  Own  Country,"    "My  Native  Land,"    "From  Dongola  to  Khartoum,"  etc.,  etc. 

illustrations  from  original  photographs  specially  secured  for  this  work  at  great  expense  and  personal  risk. 

  HMTVEBSITY  OF  NORTH  CAROLE** 

UNIVERSU  CHAPEL  HUJu 

THE  PATRIOT  ART  PUBLISHING  CO., 

618  N.  Second  Street, 

ST.  LOUIS,  MO. 


Copyright,  1898, 
By  PATRIOT  ART  PUBLISHING  CO 
All  Rights  Reserved. 


CUBA,  OUR  SISTER  REPUBLIC. 


We  have  neither  apology  nor  explanation  to  offer  for  our  title.  The  Government  of  the  United  States  has  declared  the 
"Gem  of  the  Antilles"  to  be  free,  and  the  curse  of  Spanish  tyranny  and  misrule  is  already  a  thing  of  the  past.  The  blot  on 
the  world's  history  can  never  be  effaced,  but  the  marvelous  resources  of  the  island  will  soon  enable  it  to  wipe  out  all  traces  of 
the  blight  under  which  it  has  suffered  for  generations.  In  a  word,  Cuba  will  be  prosperous  as  well  as  free,  and  the  new 
republic  will  speedily  advance,  both  in  wealth  and  influence. 

The  island  of  Cuba  is  over  seven  hundred  miles  in  length  from  east  to  west.  At  its  narrowest  part  its  north  and  south  shore 
lines  are  about  twenty-two  miles  distant.  Its  total  area  is  about  forty-five  thousand  square  miles,  greater  than  that  of  the  State 
of  Ohio.  Millions  of  acres  are  covered  by  virgin  forests,  but  under  the  fostering  influence  of  self-government  and  with  the  aid 
of  American  capital  the  acreage  under  cultivation  will  increase  with  amazing  rapidity.  The  encouragement  for  enterprise  is 
abundant,  for  the  soil  of  Cuba  is  unequaled  the  world  over  for  productiveness.  In  the  words  of  Gen.  Fitzhugh  Lee — "  Every- 
thing grows  abundantly  in  a  short  time."  This  phenomenal  fertility  proved  the  insurgents'  greatest  ally  during  their  long 
struggle  for  freedom.  Potatoes  and  other  vegetables,  raised  in  an  incredibly  brief  period  in  some  shaded  nook  on  the  mountain 
side,  furnished  plain  but  healthy  food  for  the  patriots,  and  the  product  of  an  acre  planted  with  corn,  is,  and  has  always  been, 
amazing.  Tobacco  and  sugar  can  be  cultivated  at  a  handsome  profit  under  conditions  of  peace.  Although  Spain's  iron  hand  has 
curbed  enterprise  and  retarded  development,  the  exported  product  of  the  island  had  reached  about  $100,000,000  a  year  when 
the  last  insurrection  commenced. 

^  Cuba  is  one  of  the  garden  spots  of  the  world.  It  abounds  in  picturesque  scenery,  in  magnificent  abruptness,  and  in 
pastoral  loveliness.  Nature  has  been  lavish  with  her  gifts ;  man  alone  has  been  cruel  and  destructive.  The  climate  is  semi- 
tropical  in  character,  and  naturally  healthy.  Yellow  fever  has  been  prevalent  in  the  larger  cities,  simply  because  of  the  total 
neglect  of  necessary  hygienic  and  sanitary  precautions.  Well-drained  and  sewered,  Havana  can  be  made  a  healthy  city,  and  as 
soon  as  the  last  of  the  Spanish  tyrants  has  been  finally  driven  out  of  the  country,  the  necessary  capital  and  energy  will  be 
forthcoming  and  the  good  work  will  begin.  The  average  temperature  is  about  77  degrees,  and  the  thermometer  seldom  climbs 
to  an  unpleasant  height.  The  rainy  season  is  the  principal  reminder  of  the  proximity  to  the  tropics,  and  scientists  will  watch 
with  interest  the  effect  of  the  inevitable  clearing  of  forest  land  upon  the  rainfall. 

The  people  of  Cuba  are  deserving  of  the  sympathy  that  has  been  extended  to  them  of  late.  No  greater  mistake  can  be  made 
than  to  imagine  that  the  bulk  of  the  population  is  of  negro  descent.  Prior  to  the  rebellion  there  were  more  than  a  million  and  a  half 
inhabitants,  of  whom  less  than  400,000  were  negroes.  The  native  Cubans  are  of  Spanish  descent,  and  speak  the  language  of 
their  forefathers.  They  are  as  a  rule  well  educated,  industrious  and  thrifty,  as  compared  with  the  Spanish  immigrant  who  is 
almost  invariably  uneducated,  thriftless,  and  disorderly.  Man  is  notoriously  influenced  by  environment,  and,  removed  from 
the  demoralizing  influences  of  Spain,  the  native-born  citizens  of  our  sister  republic  have  created  a  nationality  of  their  own. 
They  retain  the  traditional  Castilian  pride  and  sense  of  honor,  but  they  are  happily  freed  from  those  characteristics  of  cruelty 
and  deceit  which  have  made  the  modern  Spaniard  an  object  of  distrust  and  even  execration. 

Of  the  actual  resources  of  Cuba  the  general  information  is  incomplete,  and  in  a  measure  misleading.  It  is  more  than 
probable  that  gold  may  be  discovered  when  the  inland  district  and  the  numerous  creek  beds  are  more  thoroughly  examined. 
Gold  and  silver  have  both  been  extracted  from  time  to  time,  but  there  is  no  record  of  paying  ore  having  been  found.  Copper, 
on  the  other  hand,  has  been  profitably  mined,  and  it  is  believed  there  are  great  possibilities  in  this  direction.     There  are  also 


traces  of  iron.  Coal  is  abundant  and  of  exceptionally  good  quality.  Marble  and  onyx  have  also  beeni  mined,  as  well  as  large 
quantities  of  slate. 

The  forest  wealth  of  the  island  can  only  be  surmised.  Cuban  ebony  has  an  established  reputation,  and  there  would 
appear  to  be  scarcely  any  limit  to  the  yield  of  mahogany,  cedar  and  the  costliest  hardwoods.  Palms  are  exceptionally  abundant. 
Fruits  of  every  description  can  be  raised  easily,  and  the  yield  of  oranges  and  pineapples  is  very  large.  Corn  is  indigenous  to 
Cuban  soil,  and  the  potato  has  been  a  staple  product  for  centuries.  Sugar  p1antations  were  numerous  prior  to  the  insurrection, 
and  several  have  survived  the  horrors  of  prolonged  civil  war  and  ruthless  reprisals.  Under  the  better  conditions  now  assured, 
the  sugar  industry  will  revive  and  the  value  of  the  exports  will  run  into  long  rows  of  figures.  The  tobacco  of  Cuba  is  popular 
wherever  cigars  are  smoked.  The  yield  is  enormous,  and  with  capital  encouraged  by  a  stable  government  and  equitable  taxation 
only  the  manufacture  of  cigars  will  furnish  remunerative  employment  for  thousands  of  men  and  women.  There  will  also  be  a 
marked  increase  in  the  acreage  of  tobacco  plantations.  Coflee  has  been  successfully  cultivated  in  Cuba  for  about  a  hundred 
and  fifty  years,  though  not  to  the  extent  that  circumstances  would  seem  to  warrant.  The  climate  and  soil  are  alike  suitable, 
and  a  heavy  increase  in  the  output  is  looked  for  from  now  on. 

As  is  to  be  expected,  the  roads  of  Cuba  are  not  good.  The  contour  of  the  bulk  of  the  island  is  exceedingly  rough,  and  there 
has  never  been  the  proper  incentive  for  activity  in  road  building.  This  drawback  has  proved  of  immeasurable  advantage  to 
the  so-called  insurgents.  The  patriots  have  been  able  to  force  their  way  through  forests  and  rough  places,  absolutely  closed 
against  the  Spanish  artillery,  and  almost  as  much  so  against  the  army  generally.  A  long  era  of  peace  will  change  the  aspect 
of  the  country  in  many  ways,  and  the  building  of  a  series  of  good  roads  will  be  one  of  the  first  evidences  of  prosperity. 
Railroads  connect  the  principal  cities.  The  first  track  was  laid  about  sixty  years  ago,  and  quite  an  extensive  system  has  been 
built  up.  The  rivers,  though,  do  not  afford  important  transportation  facilities.  Most  of  them  run  north  and  south  and  are 
necessarily  short.    A  few  exquisite  cascades  may  be  mentioned  among  the  scenic  grandeurs  of  our  sister  republic. 

The  island  is  divided  into  six  provinces,  Pinar  del  Rio,  Havana,  Matanzas,  Santa  Clara,  Puerta  Principe  and  Santiago 
de  Cuba.  Each  has  for  its  capital  a  city  bearing  its  own  name.  Havana,  or  Habana,  is  the  only  very  large  city  from  an 
American  standpoint.  Its  full  name  is  San  Cristobal  de  la  Havana,  and  the  population  is  between  250,000  and  300,000.  It  is 
strongly  fortified  from  the  sea,  and  was  formerly  encompassed  by  a  well-built  wall  which  protected  it  from  attacks  from  inland. 
Wooden  buildings  are  found  in  the  suburbs,  but  in  the  city  itself  marble  and  stone  strucfures  with  flat  roofs  are  general. 
Cigar  factories  are  numerous,  and  a  little  manufacturing  of  other  kinds  is  carried  on.  It  is  considered  bad  form  for  ladies  to 
walk  in  the  streets,  and  hence  the  number  of  private  carriages  is  exceptionally  large.  The  streets  are  as  a  rule  extremely 
narrow,  and  small  blockades  of  traffic  are  numerous.  Nearly  all  the  houses  are  constructed  so  as  to  withstand  attack,  every 
window  being  well  guarded.  The  shutters  are  carefully  closed  at  night,  as  the  temperature  generally  falls  rapidly  in  the  early 
morning.  Carpets  are  not  used,  and  the  brick  or  marble  floors  strike  the  visitor  from  abroad  as  very  odd.  In  the  outskirts 
the  poorer  classes  live  in  squalor  and  distress,  and  when  disease  breaks  out  it  can  generally  be  traced  to  one  of  these  neglected 
sections. 

The  history  of  Cuba  is  one  continuous  recital  of  cruelty  and  oppression.  The  blighting  hand  of  a  conscienceless  nation 
has  been  ever  apparent,  and  the  people  have  been  oppressed  and  defrauded  for  generation  after  generation.  Early  in  the  six- 
teenth century  the  Spaniards  took  possession  of  the  island,  which  they  called  Juana,  in  honor  of  the  son  of  Ferdinand  and 
Isabella.  The  name  has  been  changed  three  or  four  times  since,  finally  reverting  to  the  original  and  present  one.  The  aboriginees 
of  Cuba  were  an  inoffensive  race.  They  were  speedily  reduced  to  slavery  by  the  new  comers,  whose  cruelty  soon  resulted  in 
extermination.  The  importation  of  African  negroes  as  slaves  followed,  and  much  labor  was  expended  in  searching  for  the  rich 
deposits  of  gold  which  tradition  said  abounded  in  the  valleys. 


The  office  of  Captain-General  was  created  in  1589  and  continued  to  exist  for  more  than  three  centuries.  The  different 
holders  of  it,  from  Tejada  to  Blanco,  have  exhibited  various  degrees  of  tyranny  and  oppression,  and  have  sacrificed  the  interests 
of  the  colony  to  those  of  the  mother  country.  The  great  object  has  always  been  to  extort  money  from  the  people  in  the  way 
of  taxes,  and  self  aggrandizement  has  not  been  lost  sight  of.  Hence  corruption  became  common  and  the  best  interests  of  the 
island  were  more  and  more  ignored.  Gradually  there  arose  among  the  oppressed  inhabitants  a  determination  to  throw  off 
the  yoke  of  Spain,  and  there  has  been  no  general  loyalty  to  the  Spanish  throne  since  the  early  part  of  the  century. 

It  was  not,  however,  until  about  fifty  years  ago  that  a  determined  strike  for  freedom  was  made.  In  1848  General  Narciso 
Lopez  organized  an  insurrection.  His  plans  were  well  made,  but  he  failed  to  receive  the  support  promised,  and  with  difficulty 
escaped  with  his  life.  Landing  in  the  United  States  he  gathered  together  quite  a  number  of  Cuban  exiles,  and  two  years 
later  landed  at  Cardenas  with  a  force  of  650  men.  The  garrison  was  overpowered,  and  the  soldiers  agreed  to  join  the  ranks 
of  the  invaders.  The  victory  was  of  no  value.  The  people  were  unprepared  for  the  movement  and  failed  to  join  it,  so  that 
Lopez  had  to  fight  his  way  back  to  his  ships  and  abandon  the  attempt.  In  1851  he  again  landed  with  a  party  of  about  400, 
and  again  failing  to  receive  support  was  finally  overpowered  and  captured.  The  only  favor  he  asked  was  that  the  inevitable 
death  should  be  that  of  a  soldier.     But  the  Spanish  government  ignored  his  request,  and  he  was  garrotted. 

The  next  uprising  of  importance  took  place  in  the  fall  of  186S,  when  about  one  hundred  men,  headed  by  Charles  M.  de 
Cespedes,  defied  the  tyrannical  officers  of  Spain  and  broke  into  open  rebellion.  The  people  were  ripe  for  revolt,  and  although 
the  movement  commenced  inauspiciously  and  even  insignificantly,  15,000  determined  men  soon  responded  to  the  cry  of  "  Free 
Cuba."  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  ten  years  war,  which,  while  unproductive  of  immediate  results,  paved  the  way  for  final 
emancipation.     A  Republic  was  declared  established,  Cespedes  was  elected  president,  and  a  constitution  prepared. 

The  first  two  years  of  the  war  saw  the  Cubans  victorious  in  frequent  engagements.  Their  numbers  increased  rapidly, 
thousands  more  rallying  round  the  standard  than  it  was  possible  to  arm.  Loyal  Cubans  abroad  tried  again  to  land  arms  and 
ammunition,  but  the  expeditions  were  intercepted  or  driven  back  by  the  Spanish  ships,  which  maintained  an  effective  blockade. 
In  1 87 1  the  patriot  army  in  the  vicinity  of  Camagney  became  discouraged  and  offered  to  surrender,  conditionally  on  their  lives 
being  spared.  The  necessary  guarantees  being  forthcoming,  they  laid  down  their  arms,  and  their  commander,  General 
Agramonte,  found  himself  unsupported  except  by  the  members  of  his  personal  staff.  His  position  was  regarded  as  hopeless  and 
his  capture  certain.  But  his  oppressors  forgot  that  a  Cuban  hero  can  never  be  judged  by  ordinary  rules.  Agramonte  laughed 
at  all  invitations  to  surrender  with  honor.  He  worked  day  and  night  until  he  had  raised  a  splendid  cavalry  regiment,  with 
whose  assistance  he  regained  control  of  the  lost  territory.  For  two  years  he  was  a  thorn  in  the  sides  of  the  Spanish  authorities, 
but  in  1873  he  was  killed  while  leading  his  forces  to  victory  against  tremendous  odds. 

It  was  at  about  this  time  that  the  Havana  volunteers,  whose  arrogance  has  been  recently  demonstrated,  came  into 
existence.  In  all  the  large  cities  those  whose  interests  made  it  desirable  to  perpetuate  Spanish  rule  over  the  island  organized 
battalions  of  volunteers.  The  loyalty  of  these  men  was  more  in  words  than  acts,  and  almost  from  the  first  they  refused  to 
obey  orders  which  were  not  pleasing  to  them.  The  Havana  volunteers  were  exceptionally  aggressive  and  brutal.  One  of  their 
earliest  acts  was  to  fire  repeatedly  upon  an  audience  leaving  a  theater  in  which  Cubans  had  performed.  Later  on  they  deposed 
the  Captain-General  and  sent  him  home  to  Spain.  Then  they  turned  their  attention  to  the  outlying  districts,  sacking  country 
residences,  and  murdering  or  exiling  inoffensive  and  strictly  neutral  Cubans. 

The  murder  of  eight  young  medical  students  by  these  ruffians  may  be  mentioned  as  one  of  the  most  heartless  crimes  of 
the  century.  The  volunteers  arrested  forty-three  students  under  the  flimsy  charge  of  scratching  the  glass  plate  on  a  volunteer's 
monument.  There  was  no  evidence  against  the  boys,  who  were  promptly  acquitted.  The  volunteers  immediately  demanded  a 
trial  by  court-martial,  with  members  of  their  company  in  control.    The  Captain-General  was  cowardly  enough  to  yield,  a  mock 


trial  was  held  and  eight  of  the  boys  were  sentenced  to  death.  Ffteen  thousand  volunteers  turned  out  to  execute  the  sentence, 
which  was  condemned  generally,  even  by  the  Spanish  army  of  occupation.  Military  discipline  is  necessarily  severe,  but  it  is 
seldom  that  youthful  non-combatants  are  sacrificed  in  a  time  of  alleged  peace. 

The  Virginius  slaughter  almost  involved  Spain  in  a  war  with  the  United  States.  The  Virginius  was  an  American  steamer, 
chartered  by  the  Cuban  insurgents  to  land  arms  and  provisions  on  the  island.  The  Spanish  cruiser  captured  her  after  a  lively 
chase,  and  although  the  captain's  papers  were  perfectly  regular  and  he  was  sailing  under  the  American  flag,  the  crew  was 
treated  as  pirates.  The  ship  was  brought  into  port  the  evening  of  November  i,  1873,  and  on  November  4  four  of  those 
captured  on  board  were  shot.  On  November  7  the  captain  and  the  entire  crew  suffered  the  same  fate.  In  spite  of  protests 
from  Washington  the  executions  continued,  although  an  indemnity  was  finally  extracted  from  the  Government  in  whose  name 
these  wholesale  murders  had  been  committed. 

During  the  next  two  years  the  patriots  gained  much  ground,  but  in  1875  their  strength  fell  off.  Martinez  Campos  then 
brought  25,000  fresh  troops  into  the  field  and  announced  his  intention  to  finish  the  war  at  once.  He  found  the  task  more 
difficult  than  he  expected,  and  finally  opened  up  negotiations  with  the  insurgent  leaders.  At  last,  in  February,  1878,  peace 
was  restored  and  the  insurgents  returned  to  their  homes  with  promises  of  freedom  from  oppression  and  equitable  representation. 
All  promises  were  ignored.  The  Cubans  were  oppressed  in  the  same  manner  as  before,  and  not  a  ray  of  hope  could  be  seen 
on  the  horizon.  Spaniards  were  given  every  office,  and  native  Cubans  were  overtaxed  and  persecuted.  The  system  of  taxation 
was  ruinous  as  well  as  unjust,  and  anything  bordering  on  prosperity  was  impossible. 

It  was  realized  at  once  that  the  patriots  had  been  duped  into  laying  down  their  arms,  and  plans  were  immediately  com- 
menced for  a  final  attempt  to  drive  the  Spanish  out  of  Cuba  once  and  for  all.  The  Cuban  Junta  was  formed  in  New  York, 
and  this  became  the  nucleus  of  Cuba's  final  and  successful  struggle  for  freedom.  In  February,  1895,  the  struggle  actually 
commenced.  Antonio  Maceo,  Maximo  Gomez,  Jose  Marti,  and  other  trusted  leaders,  came  to  the  front,  and  the  Spanish  Govern- 
ment found  itself  face  to  face  with  a  powerful  force.  From  the  first  raising  of  the  Cuban  flag  three  years  ago,  until  the  declara- 
tion of  war  by  the  United  States  against  Spain,  the  insurgents,  as  they  have  been  rather  inaccurately  called,  have  never  wavered. 
Calleja,  Campos,  Weyler  and  Blanco,  the  four  Captain-Generals  who  have  been  opposed  to  them,  have  tried  to  bribe  the  leaders 
whom  they  could  not  subdue,  but  with  invariable  lack  of  success.  At  least  150,000  Spanish  soldiers  were  killed  or  invalided  in 
the  attempt  to  stamp  out  patriotism  by  brute  force,  and  it  was  because  of  the  suffering  caused  by  Spain's  inhuman  methods  to 
force  into  subjection  a  foe  they  could  not  conquer  that  the  United  States  finally,  on  April  25,  1898,  declared  war  against  the 
oppressors,  and  thereby  made  our  sister  republic  an  accomplished  fact.  The  blowing  up  of  the  Maine  in  Havana  harbor  by 
Spanish  treachery  aroused  the  American  people  to  a  full  sense  of  the  situation,  and  the  memory  of  the  266  men  who  were 
murdered  in  cold  blood  should  ever  be  held  in  reverence  by  Cuba  and  its  people. 

The  illustrations  which  appear  in  this  work  are  all  from  original  photographs.  Just  prior  to  the  declaration  of  war  the 
feeling  in  Cuba  against  Americans  became  intensely  bitter.  It  was  dangerous  for  an  American  to  walk  the  streets  of  Havana 
or  any  other  large  city,  as  constant  attempts  were  made  to  incite  them  to  violence  by  means  of  studied  and  repeated  insult. 
While  this  feeling  was  at  its  height  our  corps  of  artists  landed  with  one  of  the  relief  expeditions,  and  negatives  were  secured 
of  places  and  features  of  interest.  Taking  grave  chances  of  arrest  and  something  worse  they  photographed  forts  and  guns,  as 
well  as  more  innocent  objects.  Dangers  were  dodged,  insults  were  ignored,  and  finally  the  artists  were  able  to  leave  the  island, 
bringing  with  them  negatives  of  great  value.  Their  trip  from  the  hotel  to  the  wharf  was  a  perilous  one,  and  how  they  got 
through  uninjured  is  a  mystery  they  themselves  cannot  explain.  As  a  result  of  their  skill  and  bravery  combined,  we  are  able 
to  present  a  series  of  pictures  which  will  be  appreciated  at  once  for  their  obvious  accuracy,  and  for  their  singular  appropriate- 
ness at  this  particular  time. 


JY^ORRO  CASTLE  FROM  HAVANA  HARBOR.  This  is  an  exceptionally  fine  view  of  Morro  Castle,  showing  its  heavy  walls  and  complete  isolation.  A 
glance  at  the  picture  explains  how  the  theory  that  no  prisoner  can  possibly  escape  from  F4  Morro  has  almost  become  gospel  in  Cuba.  Fortunately 
this  is  not  wholly  correct,  as  several  of  those  incarcerated  have  succeeded  in  regaining  their  liberty.  But  this  has  generally  been  by  means  of  collusion 
with  guards,  the  precautions  against  escape  and  the  nat  ral  safeguards  having,  as  a  rule,  proved  sadly  effective.  Legends  concerning  this  fortress  and 
prison  abound  among  the  people  of  Cuba,  and  the  awe  and  hatred  which  exist  concerning  it  are  easily  accounted  for. 


COPYRIGHT,  1  898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS. 

SCENE  NEAR  THE  IGNACIA  SUGAR  MILL,.  The  first  skirmish  of  the  rebellion  which  broke  out  in  1895  took  place  here.  Antonio  Lopez  de  Colona 
was  concealed  with  a  small  body  of  men  in  the  vicinity  of  the  mill  and  was  captured  by  the  Spanish.  The  day  before  this  unfortunate  event  he  had 
been  joined  at  the  sugar  mill  by  his  lady-love,  Senorita  Obra.  She  also  was  captured  and  was  incarcerated  in  San  Severino  Castle.  After  being  released 
she  ran  away  from  home  again  aud  followed  her  lover  to  Morro  Castle.  She  aided  him  to  escape,  became  his  wife,  and,  allying  herself  desperately  with  the 
cause,  became  in  every  sense  of  the  word  "  A  Fair  Rebel." 


S    and VelSS f   The fofmfrf «,     fn^  ^       f  ^  thr°Ugh  the  Center  °f  MatanzaS  Cit^  it  divides  into  two  parts,  kno°wTas  Pueblo ^vo 

two  mill  W  and  isl    e  7      !  ^  °ldf[  P°\.T  Bnd  C°ntaiDS  the  dePot  a*d  the  J^7  celebrated  avenue,  the  Calzeda  de  San  Estevan.    This  is 

aIai"o  e  for ^uavlat  on  for  I  ^ T*  •  1^     "rf  k^3™6  ViUaS'  WhOSe  P°rtic°S  are  with  costly  marble  or  gaudy  tiles.    The  river  is  deep  and 

S  f^on?wS«  i  ■  ,  TnCe-    I  18  SPlnUed  by  a  nUmber  °f  St°ne  brid^es'  °ne  of  which>  the  te  Belem,  bears  a  striking  resemblance  to 

the  famous  bridge  across  the  Pumae,  at  fma,  Peru.    The  illustration  gives  a  good  idea  of  the  architecture  of  Matanzas  residences. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  8Y  G.  W.  CURTISS 

JNTERIOR  OF  MORRO  CASTLE.  This  remarkable  picture  was  obtained  under  extraordinary  conditions.  Our  artists  had  a  permit  from  the  Spanish 
authorities  to  secure  views,  but  the  permit  was  never  intended  to  cover  the  photographing  of  the  city's  fortifications.  Tiusting  to  the  ignorance  of  the 
average  Spanish  official,  the  document  was  tendered  as  a  card  of  admission  to  the  interior  of  the  world-renowned  fort,  and  the  ruse  succeeded.  A  few  min- 
utes later  the  artists  were  observed  by  the  captain  of  the  guard,  who  escorted  them  out  of  the  castle  with  more  haste  than  courtesy.  He  did  not,  however, 
confiscate  the  camera  or  realize  that  an  instantaneous  picture  had  been  taken. 


AN  OLD  FARM  HOUSE  IN  THE  CAMAGNEY  DISTRICT.  Rudely  constructed  with  material  secured  almost  exclusively  from  the  immed^te  vicinity 
a  farm  house,  such  as  illustrated  above,  affords  ample  protection  from  the  variations  of  the  climate  and  from  the  heaviest  storms.  In  the  rural  districts 
the  honesty  of  the  neighbors  is  not  questioned  and  the  elaborate  precautions  against  attack,  so  conspicuous  in  the  cities,  are  never  attempted.  This  house 
has  fa  len  into  bad  repair  and  dilapidation,  its  former  inhabitants  having  become  the  victims  of  the  buzzards,  called,  with  a  brutal  facetiousness 
"  Weyler  s  chickens.      It  is  said  to  be  more  than  25  years  old,  and  to  have  been  searched  repeatedly  by  Spanish  soldiers  during  the  ten  years'  war 


H  AVANA  HARBOR.  The  harbor  at  Havana  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  world.  The  bay,  on  the  western  shore  of  which  the  city  is  located,  is  large  enough 
to  accomodate  several  large  fleets  at  one  time.  It  is  approached  by  a  channel  three-quarters  of  a  mile  long,  with  a  nearly  uniform  width  of  about  1,000 
feet  The  water  both  in  the  entrance  and  harbor  is  very  deep,  in  spite  of  the  neglect  of  the  authorities,  which  has  resulted  in  an  accumulation  of  wreckage 
and  impurities  in  many  locations.  The  harbor  is  now  very  foul,  owing  to  the  inadequate  sewer  arrangements  of  the  city,  and  its  condition  has  led  to  many 
outbreaks  of  disease.    Under  the  new  regime  this  drawback  will  be  speedily  removed. 


^  FAK.M  HOUSE)  IN  PUERTO  PRINCIPE).  This  house,  in  an  isolated  portion  of  the  province,  was,  prior  to  1895,  owned  and  occupied  by  a  small  Cuban 
family  of  moderate  means.  For  several  months  after  the  outbreak  of  the  insurrection  the  building  was  left  alone  and  its  occupants  were  uninformed 
as  to  the  progress  of  the  war.  One  morning  a  rebel  officer  sought  refuge,  explaining  that  he  was  cut  off  from  his  command  and  in  danger  of  capture. 
Food  was  given  him  and  he  was  securely  hidden  before  his  pursuers  reached  the  house,  which  they  carefully  searched.  As  the  fugitive  was  concealed 
some  distance  away  the  search  failed,  and  as  no  information  could  be  extracted  from  the  inmates  they  were  lined  up  and  shot. 


YUMARI  VALLEY.  A  typical  scene  illustrative  of  the  great  natural  fertility  of  Cuban  soil.  The  stately  palms  with  their  symmetrical  trunks  stand  out 
in  bold  relief,  and  the  accuracy  of  the  camera  gives  a  striking  idea  of  their  real  appearance.  The  picturesque  grandeur  of  the  scene  illustrates  in 
unmistakable  manner  the  majesty  of  natural  beauty  unadorned  in  the  land  of  our  sister  republic,  and  opens  up  countless  ideas  of  the  resources  of  the  coun- 
try under  good  government  and  proper  development.  The  productiveness  of  the  soil  in  the  numerous  valleys,  of  which  this  is  a  type,  is  said  to  surpass 
that  to  be  found  in  any  other  country  in  the  world. 


J-JOTEI/  DE  INGLATERRA,  HAVANA.  This  hotel  is  situated  on  Havana's  principal  street,  and  is  of  special  interest  from  the  fact  that  General  Lee 
lived  in  it  while  conducting  negotiations  of  the  utmost  gravity  to  Cuba,  Spain  and  the  United  States.  The  correspondents  of  foreign  newspapers 
almost  all  had  rooms  in  the  Inglaterra,  which  is  by  far  the  most  agreeable  stopping  place  in  the  city.  The  building  itself  is  substantial  in  character  and 
the  rooms  are  lofty.  They  lack  most  of  the  comforts  usually  found  in  first-class  hotels,  but  the  deficiencies  are  made  up  for  in  other  ways.  The  table  is  a 
good  one,  with  many  dainties  in  profusion,  and  the  attendance  is  in  most  respects  excellent. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS. 

piNEAPPLE  GROVE,  NEAR  CALABAZAR.  A  truly  characteristic  picture,  showing  one  of  the  staple  products  of  Cuba  in  full  growth.  The  piueapple 
is  very  much  at  home  on  Cuban  soil,  and  there  is  little  or  no  limit  to  the  extent  or  yield  of  the  pineapple  groves.  They  require  but  slight  attention  or 
cultivation,  the  richness  of  the  soil  insuring  a  crop  when  the  conditions  are  at  all  favorable,  as  they  usually  are  during  intervals  of  peace.  The  growth  is 
so  profuse  that  a  formidable  barrier  to  progress  is  presented,  and  a  richness  of  color  is  produced  that  delights  the  artist  and  lover  of  beauty.  Hundreds  of 
acres  of  these  groves  have  been  destroyed  by  the  contesting  armies. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS. 

^HERE  BUL,L  FIGHTS  OCCUR.  This  is  a  section  of  the  arena  and  auditorium  of  the  building  in  Havana  where  bull  fights  take  place.  The  Spaniard 
has  clung  fiercely  to  customs  and  vices  which  other  nations  have  cast  behind,  and  wherever  the  Spanish  language  is  spoken  the  bull  fight  has  its 
adherents  and  defenders.  In  this  building  not  only  the  men  of  Havana,  but  the  ladies  as  well,  have  applauded  to  the  echo  acts  of  cruelty  which  seem  to 
have  no  palliation.  Refined  belles  vie  with  each  other  in  their  clamorous  applause,  and  the  frantic  efforts  of  the  terrorized  bull  to  escape  its  tormentors  or 
avenge  their  attacks  appear  ludicrous  to  them  rather  than  pathetic. 


QUARD  HOUSE,  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA.  This  is  a  good  view  of  a  section  of  the  guard  house  in  Santiago  de  Cuba.  This  city  was  founded  in  1514  by 
Diego  Velazquez,  who  was  attracted  to  the  site  by  the  marvelous  natural  harbor.  At  one  time  the  town  was  the  capital  of  Cuba.  It  is  compactly 
buiiC,  with  houses  of  adobe  and  brick  lining  narrow,  irregular  streets.  There  are  few  new  houses,  and  even  the  residences  are  fortified  against  attack 
with  heavy  iron  bars  across  the  window  openings.  In  the  rear  are  vast  mountains,  which  the  Spanish  troops  have  never  yet  been  able  to  penetrate,  and  in 
which  trees,  shrubs,  creeping  plants  and  flowers  flourish  all  around. 


A  SPANISH  BOATMAN.  Owing  to  Cuba's  extensive  coast  line,  a  large  percentage  of  the  population  are  directly  interested  in  boating,  a  calling  which 
furnishes  a  livelihood  for  many  families.  The  Spanish  boatman  is  for  the  most  part  employed  by  the  authorities  in  moving  supplies  from  towns  to 
forts  or  in  unloading  government  vessels.  The  Cuban  boatman  has  less  lucrative  work  and  represents  another  type.  There  is  excellent  fishing  in  several 
of  the  harbors,  and  generally  along  the  coast.  At  Havana  this  is  protected,  but  in  most  sections  there  are  no  restrictions,  and  fishing  is  a  regular  occupa- 
tion.  The  boatmen  have  as  a  rule  seen  considerable  adventure,  and  the  patriotism  of  many  of  them  has  been  put  to  the  severest  tests. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTIS9. 

RAITING  FOR  FOOD.  This  is  a  group  of  reconcentrados  waiting  for  the  distribution  of  food  before  Consul  Brice's  office  in  Matanzas.  The  Cuban 
professional  beggar  has  been  described  again  and  again,  but  Gen.  Weyler's  brutal  policy  made  involuntary  paupers  of  thousands  of  industrious 
people.  All  types  of  humanity  are  represented  in  the  picture,  for  one  touch  of  hunger,  as  well  as  nature,  makes  the  whole  world  kin.  There  is  the 
strong  man  and  the  feeble  child,  the  faithful  "  auntie  "  and  the  woman  who  has  seen  better  days.  These  people  never  expected  much  and  were  content 
with  the  products  of  the  soil  around  their  homes  for  food  until  dragged  into  the  cities  and  forbidden  to  leave  them. 


A  VII3W  OP  M  LANZAS.  Even  the  elder  Weller  would  find  an  excuse  for  dropping  into  poetry  with  such  a  scene  as  this  before  him.  All  that  is 
picturesque  in  nature  seems  crowded  into  the  foreground,  while  in  the  rear  there  is  the  dreamy  stillness  of  the  semi-tropics.  There  are  the  little  villas 
witn  neatly  kept  gardens  and  well  trimmed  hedges,  patches  of  shrubbery  on  right  and  left,  and  larger  residences  in  the  background.  In  the  twilight  the 
exquisite  touches  are  emphasized  and  a  general  sentimental  grandeur  produced  which  needs  to  be  seen  and  felt  to  be  appreciated.  Cuba,  free  and  prosper- 
ous, will  be  an  artists'  paradise,  and  scenes  such  as  these  will  form  subjects  for  masterpieces  in  colors. 


  _~  ^—  _~   -  ....  rA.^t^L^ll,^^.^i.[--::.. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  Q. 


QAFE  LA  LUNA,  HAVANA.  The  restaurants  of  Havana  are  exceptionally  numerous,  and  they  are  as  a  rule  prosperous  institutions.  Home  comforts  are 
not  appreciated  at  their  full  worth  in  Cuban  cities,  and  comparatively  few  families  of  the  middle  or  trade  classes  have  any  cooking  done  in  their  houses. 
As  a  rule  but  two  meals  are  eaten  daily.  Breakfast  is  usually  taken  at  home,  and  employment  is  found  for  large  numoers  of  men  who  carry  around  cooked 
food  and  other  items  of  a  bill  of  fare  and  deliver  them  at  house  doors.  The  restaurants  and  cafes  are  thronged  during  the  dinner  hour,  which  is  about  the 
middle  of  the  afternoon.    Ample  time  is  taken  for  the  meal,  and  political  and  other  discussions  are  continued  over  dessert. 


IN  CARDENAS  HARBOR.  Cardenas  is  a  city  of  some  importance  in  Matanzas  Province,  rather  more  than  100  miles  east  of  Havall i  s  ocatedoa  a 
18 J  it  wT  t    T*      *  ,thK  ^Pltal  Cit7'        1CSS  freC  fr°m  St°rmS  aDd  atmosP^ric  disturbances.    The  town  was  founded  seventy  years  ago  and  in 

fJM  h  11  7  GeUeral  SiDCe  thC  °Utbreak  °f  thC  Present  war  the  Place  has  been  frequently  mentioned  in  dispatches  and  it 

^tatl^  C%  tTe^-inent-T.  Inma^resPects  ita^s  ideal  landing  facilities,  and  some  of  the  richest  ground  to  be  found  fn  the  wealthy 
Matanzas  Province  is  situated  within  an  hour's  r  Hp  nf  it  &  ■> 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS. 

QHAPEL  AT  MONTSERRAT.  The  illustration  on  the  left  is  of  the  front  of  the  chapel  at  Montserrat ;  that  on  the  right  is  a  rear  view  of  the  same 
building.  The  structure  is  far  out  of  the  ordinary  and  represents  strong  religious  feeling  in  its  design  and  execution.  It  is  in  striking  memorial  of 
the  monastery  near  Barcelona,  Spain,  one  of  the  most  remarkable  religious  edifices  in  the  world.  From  80,000  to  100,000  pilgrims  visit  it  annually,  and 
there  are  countless  traditions  bound  up  with  it.  Many  Spaniards  of  eminence  have  sought  within  its  walls  religious  consolation  and  freedom  from  the 
turmoil  of  daily  life  ;  others  have  visited  it  to  register  vows  of  reformation. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY 


G.  W.  CURTISS 

It 


SPANISH  CRUISERS  IN  CIENFUEGOS  HARBOR.    Cienfuegos  is  a  town  of  some  importance  in  Santa  Clara  Province,  on  the  south  coast  of  Cuba 

is  in  direct  railroad  connection  with  Havana  and  has  been  mentioned  repeatedly  as  the  probable  scene  of  a  great  naval  battle.  The  bay  is  a  large  one, 
with  an  island  near  the  mouth,  giving  a  passage  way  on  either  side.  The  town  itself  is  situated  well  within  the  bay  and  has  an  ideal  natural  harbor. 
Cienfuegos  was  named  after  the  celebrated  Spanish  poet,  whose  career  in  the  early  years  of  the  century  made  him  a  martyr  in  the  eyes  of  many.  While 
editor  of  the  Spanish  government  organs  he  published  an  article  which  offended  Napoleon.    He  was  sentenced  to  death,  but  subsequently  banished. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS 

piVER  HAVANA.  This  is  a  view  of  Havana  River  with  portions  of  the  city  given  over  to  manufacturing  purposes.  Like  all  the  rivers  in  the  island, 
this  one  is  short,  and  its  navigable  section  very  limited.  The  Cauto  is  a  much  longer  stream,  traversing  a  large  section  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  Province, 
and  there  are  five  or  six  fair  sized  streams  which  discharge  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  river  shown  in  the  picture  above  is  contaminated  by  sewage,  and 
has  in  consequence  a  rather  unmerited  reputation  for  being  unhealthy.  Its  channel  could  be  kept  clear  without  difficulty  and  much  use  made  of  the 
stream,  as  there  are  several  factories  along  its  banks. 


CARRYING  GREEN  FODDER  CORN.  Again  is  the  generosity  of  Cuban  soil  demonstrated  by  means  of  the  camera.  Corn,  as  mentioned  on  aTe^rpSe 
™  W  IT110"  T  19ianrd:  Erly  EUr°Pean  WdterS  SpCak  °f  the  P«f»»eneM  of  its  growth  and  call  it  «  maize  »  or  ■<  Indian  corn  >  The  rapW  WoHts 
F0m  th?SenTTa  '  anda"erafdlstr  cth-  been  devastated  by  sword  and  torch  a  crop  has  been  raised  in  an  incredibly  short  time  As  3 U  noted 
from  the  view  it  is  frequently  cut  early  and  used  for  fodder.  The  extent  to  which  horses  and  mules  are  used  in  the  island  for  pack  purpo  es  is  also 
demonstrated  by  this  viewj  which  at  first  glance  seems  to  portray  a  couple  of  camels  instead  of  two  heavily  loaded,  mulled  ponies  ? 


CUBAN  VOLENTA.    The  volenta  is  a  peculiar  two-wheel  carriage  with  a  strange  motion  while  traveling  that  is  not  pleasant  to  the  uninitiated.  The 
diligencia  is  a  larger  vehicle  with  four  wheels,  and  resembles  the  victoria  in  general  outline.    Private  carriages  are  the  exception,  most  families  hiring 
public  conveyances  without  regard  to  expense.    The  society  lady  seldom  walks,  and  as  a  result  the  fashionable  thoroughfares  are  thronged  with  vehicles. 
These  are  often  kept  standing  for  an  hour  or  more  while  the  fair  occupants  receive  their  friends  and  converse  with  them.    In  the  illustration  a  volenta  has 
been  called  to  a  hotel  and  the  livery  boy  is  waiting  patiently  and  without  concern  while  preparations  are  being  made  within  for  the  drive. 


STREET  SCENE  IN  HAVANA.    Tim  is  a  view  taken  in  the  business  section  of  Cuba's  chief  city,  and  illustrates  the  precautions  observed  to  guard  everv 
window.    It  is  not  the  skilled  burglar  who  is  feared  in  Havana,  but  the  outlaw  who  will  use  violence  rather  than  skill  in  his  efforts  to  secure  admission 
The  balconies  are  not  allowed  to  become  sources  of  danger,  and  every  window  is  guarded  as  though  it  were  in  the  walls  of  a  prison     The  profusion  of 
carriages,  spoken  of  elsewhere,  is  shown,  as  well  as  other  features  of  Cuban  city  life.    One  point  which  cannot  be  overlooked  is  the  age  of  the  buildings 
There  seems  to  have  been  little  or  no  general  new  construction  for  years.  °  ' 


^  CUBAN  COUNTRY  HOME.  This  is  a  type  of  an  inexpensive  country  home  in  Cuba,  as  compared  with  the  more  pretentious  "hacienda."  This  latter 
is  generally  approached  by  an  avenue  of  palms,  whose  beauty  is  a  little  impaired  by  the  mechanical  accuracy  with  which  they  were  planted  and  the 
uniform  manner  in  which  they  have  grown.  Even  in  the  more  costly  dwellings  there  is  little  effort  to  secure  what  Americans  or  Europeans  regard  as 
comfort.  In  the  less  expensive  homes,  like  the  one  illustrated,  there  is  still  less  attempt  to  cater  to  the  tastes  of  the  occupants,  and  the  simplicity  becomes 
almost  rugged.    But  nature  furnishes  on  the  outside  ample  adornment  to  supplant  the  decorations  not  to  be  found  within. 


HOUSE  IN  PINAR  DEL  RIO.    This  is  a  villa  in  Pinar  del  Rio,  the  principal  city  in  the  extreme  western  province  of  Cuba,  and  the  only  one  west  of 
Havana     beveral  times  the  attempt  has  been  made  to  march  an  army  across  the  country  and  drive  the  insurgents  before  it.    All  attempts  have  failed 
and  once  when  Gen.  Weyler  himself  took  the  field  in  this  province  he  narrowly  escaped  capture,  escaping  in  a  well-guarded  carriage.    One  of  the 
celebrated  trochas  crosses  the  province  at  its  narrowest  point,  but  just  as  love  laughs  at  locksmiths,  so  do  Cuban  patriots  treat  trochas  with  contempt  and 
scorn.    The  town  has  suffered  materially  from  the  war  and  it  will  take  some  time  to  restore  it. 


1"HE  COAST  AT  MANZANILLO.  Manzanillo  is  situated  on  the  Gulf  of  Guacanabo,  near  the  mouth  of  the  river  Yara.  Although  not  ranking  among  the 
best  harbors,  considerable  shipping  finds  anchorage  before  the  town.  In  the  view  a  lighter  is  approaching  a  larger  craft  in  a  calm  sea,  and  the  perfec- 
tion of  the  work  of  art  is  seen  in  the  depicting  of  the  wave  motion  and  of  the  wash  in  the  boat's  wake.  There  is  exceptionally  good  fishing  near  the  town, 
and,  indeed,  all  along  the  coast  of  the  gulf,  and  but  for  the  presence  of  sharks  the  bathing  would  be  exceptionally  attractive.  The  facilities  for  yachting  are 
unsurpassed. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  Q.  W.  CURTISS 

QFFICIAI,  RESIDENCE,  SANTA  CI/ARA.    This  is  a  view  of  the  residence  occupied  by  the  Governor  of  Santa  Clara  Province.    It  is  situated  in  the  city 
of  the  same  name,  and  is  characteristic  of  the  local  architecture.    Unlike  a  majority  of  the  villas,  it  is  two  stories  high,  with  a  spacious  porch  above 
the  porticos  and  pillars.    The  grounds  are  extensive  and  well  kept,  and  the  stone  work  at  the  approaches  quite  artistic.    The  grounds  are  enclosed  by  a 
strong  wall  and  iron  bar  fence,  as  though  to  bid  defiance  to  intruders.    Much  lavish  entertainment  has  been  furnished  in  this  house. 


COPYRIGHT,  1B98,  BY  0-  W.  CURTISS. 

QFFICIAL,  RESIDENCE  AT  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA.  This  house  is  the  home  of  a  Spanish  official  in  Santiago  de  Cuba.  His  occupation,  like  Othello's, 
will  soon  be  gone,  but  for  years  he  has  thrived  at  the  expense  of  the  native  Cubans.  The  Spanish  official  in  Cuba  has  for  geuerations  displayed  an 
arrogance  which  time  has  never  softened.  The  unpopularity  of  Spanish  rule  has  had  a  sterner  cause  than  th'S,  but  many  an  outbreak  has  been  expedited 
by  a  Spanish  official's  hauteur  and  injustice.  There  ;s  an  air  of  prosperity  about  the  house,  which  is  easily  explained,  and  there  are  none  of  the  signs  of 
decay  and  neglect  visible  in  so  many  native  homes. 


MATANZAS  FROM  ACROSS  THE  YUMARI  VAI^EY.    Matanzas  is  the  chief  city  of  the  province  of  that  name,  and  it  has  been  spoken  of'  asVhe^roba 
ble  temporary  capital  of  the  new  republic.    The  population  has  reached  as  high  as  60,000,  though  at  the  present  time  it  is  le  J tha .  half  tha  number" 

Init  1  rl  S°me  reSPe  1S,m°re  m°dem  thaU  HaVana'  h  iS  ^  h6althier-  The  StreetS  are  n— '  but  on  the  whole  wider  than  those  in  the  p  sent 
capital.  The  name  is  an  unfortunate  one,  signifying  slaughter  pen.  It  was  given  to  the  town  because  of  the  number  of  cattle  slaughtered  in  it  for  the 
Havana  market.    More  recently,  it  is  to  be  regretted,  the  name  has  become  appropriate  for  other  reasons.  slaughtered  in  it  for  the 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS. 

jy^ORRO  CASTLE,  OR  EL  MORRO,  FROM  THE  SHORE.  This  is  the  product  of  a  snap  shot  from  our  artist's  camera.  To  obtain  the  picture  the 
greatest  risk  had  to  be  run,  as  the  Spanish  authorities  in  and  around  Havana  were  on  the  constant  lookout  for  spies,  of  whose  presence  they  were 
very  suspicious.  The  picture  gives  a  good  idea  of  the  solid  masonry  of  Havana's  great  prison  and  fort.  It  was  originally  constructed  in  1589  by  command 
of  Phillip  II.  of  Spain,  but  subsequent  additions  have  entirely  remodeled  it  and  changed  its  general  appearance.  It  is  popularly  known  as  El  Morro,  and 
has  for  many  years  been  regarded  by  the  Spaniards  as  impregnable. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS. 

DRAWBRIDGE  ENTRANCE  TO  MORRO  CASTLE.  The  casual  reader  of  Cuban  news  is  puzzled  by  the  apparent  ubiquity  of  Morro  Castle,  or  Fort 
Morro,  which  is  mentioned  in  connection  with  nearly  every  large  harbor  in  either  Cuba  or  Porto  Rico.  The  explanation  is  that  "  Morro  "  means  a 
"  promontory,"  so  that  Morro  Qastle  is  equivalent  to  "  the  castle  on  the  promontory."  The  illustration  shows  the  idea  well.  Never  safe  from  foe  by  sea  or 
land,  Spain  has  constructed  and  equipped  forts  at  the  entrance  to  the  harbor,  which  is  located  in  a  bottle-shaped  bay,  with  high  cliffs  at  the  entrance. 
Nature's  aid  thus  obtained,  and  the  guns,  until  silenced,  could  do  double  execution,  owing  to  their  altitude. 


y ALLEY  NEAR  MANZANILLO.  This  is  one  of  the  garden  spots  of  Cuba,  but  it  has  been  the  scene  of  much  bloodshed  during  the  island's  struggle  for 
freedom.  It  is  said  that  no  less  than  eight  battles  have  been  fought  on  the  hills  in  the  rear,  and  one  of  the  engagements  ended  most  disastrously  for  the 
insurgents.  During  the  ten  years'  war  a  party  of  patriots  was  surprised  while  crossing  the  valley  by  an  overwhelming  Spanish  force.  The  former  were 
carrying  some  wounded  comrades  towards  a  place  of  safety,  and  as  they  would  not  abandon  their  helpless  friends,  they  failed  to  make  good  their  retreat 
and  were  shot  down  to  the  last  man  by  their  merciless  foes. 


A    the  heavv  matnrv  and  th    V  P*"  ^  ClaSS  °f  hOUSe  Md  t0  be  <°Und  in  the  suburbs  of  Cuban  cities .     There  Tn 

^Im^ZS^L^m^^Tf    ■CC%t^UT°a0f  thenatiODal  babit  or  custom  of  defense,  and  the  statuary  within  is  also  characteristic. 

kinds  The  ^^l^ZZ^     ^  ^im^    ^^F0^-     ^  betterclassof  ^rdens  in  and  around  the  cities  abound  with  vines  of  different 

^rfS^SfJTSSfl     W  t  w"^  gi      b6aUty'         CHmbiDg  ShrUbS  With°Ut  nUmber-    landscape  gardening  is  not  a  fine  art  as  in  some 

parts  oi  California  and  Florida,  but  the  facilities  for  work  of  this  kind  are  very  numerous. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTtSS 

yHE  INFANTA  ISABEL.  The  Spanish  navy  is  weak  in  battleships,  but  has  a  large  number  of  swift  cruisers  and  light  craft  better  able  to  keep  out  of 
harm's  way  than  to  grapple  with  the  heavier  vessels  of  modern  navies.  The  Infanta  Isabel  belongs  to  the  3d  class  of  cruisers,  upon  which  the  Spanish 
government  has  placed  great  reliance.  Some  of  its  torpedo  boats  have  great  speed,  some  as  much  as  25  and  26  knots  an  hour.  The  Pelayo  is  the  largest 
Spanish  battleship,  and  the  only  one  really  in  the  same  class  as  the  better  American  vessels.  The  Vizcaya,  which  was  inspected  by  thousands  of  people 
while  at  anchor  off  New  York  this  spring,  is  an  armed  cruiser  of  the  first  class,  with  a  speed  of  about  20  knots. 


s™a°H A  HAfVANVTRW- This  -wgi^T^;-^. 

tlou  of  a  Havana  street.  The  thoroughfares  in  the  Cuban  capital  are  very 
Tfa ^  sMe  "lkaraTCe;  an",  th6y  ^  t0  an  "convenient  extent" 

lotll  f  I  „are  t  7  ^  en°Ugh  f°r  tw°  Pe°Ple  to  Pass.  «d  the 
practice  of  building  right  up  to  the  line  makes  the  difficulty  greater. 


HAVANA  CATHEDRAL.    This  is  a  side  view  of  the  front  of  the  great 
Cathedral    A  better  idea  of  the  elevation  and  style  can  be  obtained  from 

nlu  'J  i  Vi6W  °n  an°ther  pagC-    *  wiU  be  noted  tha'  although 

the  Cathedral  is  m  the  very  heart  of  the  city  the  sidewalks  are  as  narrow 
and  inconvenient  as  in  the  less  important  sections. 


yHE  YUMARI  VALLEY.  From  San  Severino  Castle  a  glorious  view  can  be  obtained  of  the  Yumari,  or  Gumuri,  Valley.  This  beautiful  valley  has  been 
likened  to  the  happy  valley  immortalized  in  Rasselas.  It  is  surrounded  by  precipitous  rocks,  and  in  the  early  morning  especially  the  scene  is  poetical 
in  the  extreme.  It  was  here  that  one  of  the  most  brutal  attacks  were  made  on  the  natives  of  Cuba,  in  1511,  by  the  Spanish  conquerors.  No  quarter  was 
extended,  and  after  thousands  of  unarmed  natives  had  been  massacred,  those  that  survived  hurled  themselves  in  despair  from  the  precipitous  cliffs  into 
the  river  below  to  escape  what  they  realized  would  have  been  a  worse  fate. 


A  NARROW  STREET.  This  view  gives  a  section  of  one  of  the  very  narrow 
streets  of  Havana,  so  narrow  that  the  light  is  always  bad.  The  over- 
hanging balconies  approach  each  other  so  closely  that  conversation  can  be 
carried  on  between  persons  sitting  in  them  without  raising  the  voice.  Below 
are  the  window  openings  with  the  constantly  recurring  iron  bars. 


STUDENTS'  MONUMENT,  HAVANA.  This  monument  was  erected  to  the 
memory  of  the  eight  medical  students  who  were  shot  on  November  27, 
1871,  by  the  Havana  volunteers  under  circumstances  explained  more  fully 
on  a  preceding  page.  The  boys  were  arrested  with  thirty-five  others  on  the 
ridiculous  charge  of  scratching  the  plate  on  a  volunteer's  vault. 


ENTRANCE  TO  BELLAMAR  CAVES,  MATANZAS.  The  Bellamar  caves  at  Matanzas  have  been  described  as  second  only  in  interest  to  the  Mammoth 
Cave  of  Kentucky.  They  are  very  extensive  and  their  exploration  is  a  source  of  much  interest  to  tourists.  Cuban  caves  are  numerous,  but  the  location 
of  most  of  them  is  known  only  to  the  so-called  insurgents.  The  Bellamar  caves  are  larger  and  are  much  better  known.  The  peculiarity  of  the  roof  of  the 
entrance  sheds  will  be  noted,  as  well  as  the  ubiquitous  livery  hack  and  the  trees  of  different  kinds,  which  grow  without  care  of  any  description.  The 
caves  are  visited  by  large  social  parties,  aud  are  a  feature  of  the  district. 


AMERICAN  STEAMER  IN  HAVANA  HARBOR.    This  view  was  taken  just  prior  to  the  departure  of  our  artists  aud  two  newspaper  friends  from  Havana. 

There  were  ships  in  the  harbor  waiting  to  sail,  and  their  passage  had  been  arranged  for.  The  last  day  or  two  on  shore  drew  out  all  the  ingenuity  of 
the  unwelcome  guests,  who  were  in  constant  danger.  In  Ireland  the  pugilist  is  anxious  to  have  some  one  tread  on  the  tail  of  his  coat,  and  in  other  countries 
various  forms  of  insult  are  resorted  to  when  a  fight  is  desired.  In  Cuba  it  is  usual  to  spit  on  the  floor  or  ground  in  front  of  a  man  to  express  contempt,  and 
this  not  very  refined  hint  was  used  freely.    That  all  finally  got  away  unharmed  is  somewhat  surprising. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  8Y  G.  W.  CURTISS. 

jy^ATANZAS  HARBOR.  This  harbor  is  located  about  sixty  miles  east  of  Havana.  The  bay  differs  from  the  majority  on  the  Cuban  coast  in  that  it  is 
widest  at  its  mouth  and  narrows  gradually.  The  town  and  harbor  of  Matanzas  are  at  the  extreme  end,  well  protected  from  the  ocean.  The  fortifica- 
tions were  never  very  formidable.  They  included  San  Severino  castle  and  another  very  old  fort,  both  of  which  have  received  serious  injury  from  American 
guns.  The  beauty  of  the  bay  has  been  commented  on  frequently,  and  the  illustration  shows  how  the  trees  and  shrubs  grow  almost  to  the  water's  edge.  The 
harbor  itself  will  shelter  almost  any  number  of  vessels. 


_^  .  _  COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURT1SS. 

ABANAS  FORTRESS.    A  party  of  Spanish  officers  on  their  way  from  Havana  to  Cabanas  Fortress,  the  living  tomb  to  which  political  prisouers  and  suspects 
are  consigned.    What  tortures  have  been  endured  within  its  walls  no  mind  can  estimate,  no  pen  depict.    To  a  people  who  have  lived  in  profound  peace 
for  more  than  thirty  years  the  idea  of  incessant  militarism,  varied  only  by  outbreaks  of  actual  warfare,  is  not  easily  grasped.    Such  has,  however,  been  the 
condition  of  Cuba  for  generations  back,  and  this  hated  bastile  has  been  a  continual  reminder  of  the  despotism  of  Spain.    Many  a  patriot  has  died,  within  it 
rather  than  betray  his  fellow  "  rebels." 


gTREET  SCENE,  HAVANA.  This  scene  is  well  selected,  as  it  conveys  a  good  idea  of  the  mode  of  life  in  the  city.  The  building  in  the  foreground  on 
the  left  is  not  a  prison  or  even.a  school.  It  is  simply  a  residence,  built  according  to  the  prevalent  custom  right  up  to  the  edge  of  the  sidewalk  The 
bars  in  front  of  the  window  are  characteristic.  Behind  them  the  inmates  can  be  seen  at  almost  any  time  engaged  in  their  household  duties  or  killing 
time.  During  the  evening  the  ladies  frequently  sit  or  stand  behind  the  bars  for  hours  at  a  time,  smiling  pleasantly  to  passers-by,  and  acknowledging  with 
captivating  bows  the  compliments  freely  paid  them,  even  by  utter  strangers. 


DRAW  BRIDGE  HAVANA  FORTIFICATIONS     This  picture  gives  an  idea  ol  the  massiveness  of  the  fortifications  of  Havana.  ~e  c%  wounded 
on  its  Present  srte  mi  510,  but  ten  years  later  it  was  destroyed  by  buccaneers.     The  location  was  so  favorable  for  a  fortified  town  ha  ft  wa  speedi  y 
reconstructed  with  the  addition  of  the  fortress  of  La  Fuerza.     About  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century  it  was  again  plundered  by  pi  ates  and  thi led 
o  still  more  extensive work  on  the  fortifications.    The  wall  erected  around  the  city  has  not  been  maintained,  but  relics  of  medial  style oi draw-br  dges 
fortresses  and  heavy  obstructions  remain.    The  style  of  work  is  well  shown  above.  onages, 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS 

pARM  SCENE  NEAR  MATANZAS.  This  is  a  farm  which  has  escaped  attack  from  both  the  irregular  Spanish  forces  and  the  insurgent-,  and  as  a  result 
it  shows  more  prosperity  and  animation  than  do  those  which  have  been  attacked  and  at  least  partially  laid  waste.  Expert  agriculturalists  agree  that 
more  can  be  realized  from  the  soil  in  Cuba  at  less  expense  than  in  any  other  country,  and  the  photograph  above  bears  out  the  theory.  The  absence  of 
waste  lands  and  rocky  creeks  is  a  feature  of  Cuba,  and  the  soil  responds  so  promptly  to  the  most  primitive  attempts  at  cultivation,  that  returns  can  be 
secured  with  gratifying  certainty  from  the  smallest  expenditure  of  labor  and  capital. 


of  the  wharff  crowded  as  u.ua.  whh  "a ' e«  t  search  oT.h.d,    ?'    7       "gg'°g ,°'  merChaU'  'eSS""  C"°  T°       Ieft  >s  the  c°'e"d  P°rti°° 

appropriate  for  loafing  is  left  W  deserted     The  STL    ,    ^     ,    ?„      sen,,-  rop.cal  countr.es  idleness  is  a  lu„ry  highly  appreciated,  and  no  place 

ci,i,  w  hampers  ,h/ou,Po,  ^-^JJ^^^^^^  —  —  -  -eh 


HAVANA  CATHEDRAL.    This  cathedral  is  of  great  historic  interest.  J^^^^ 

H    funeral  services  were  held  over  the  bodies  of  the  ga  lant  seamen  who  were  blown  up  «  the  to  which  tbe  people  of  Havana 

itself  at  once  to  the  student  of  architecture     The  building  was  erected  in    ^4  ^d  1S  a  type  of  el  J  ^  m^  ^  ^  fresco. 

cling  with  strange  pertinacity.    Within  the  decorations  are  more  elaborate  although  far  from  uniform, 
ing  on  tl  walls  is  artistic.    The  altars  are  handsome  and  were  erected  at  great  expense. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS 

j£NTRANCE  TO  SAN  LAZARO  CEMETERY.  The  gateway  and  arch  show  the  same  heavy  old  fashioned  style  of  masonry  so  common  in  Cuba,  while  on 
right  and  left  the  rich  foliage  of  the  native  trees  is  seen  in  pleasant  relief.  Interest  in  the  cemetery  centers  in  the  fact  that  it  forms  the  resting  place  of 
the  remains  of  the  Maine  victims.  Amid  scenes  of  mingled  sadness  and  indifference  the  bodies  recovered  were  conveyed  to  the  cemetery.  Each  was  in  a 
plain  coffin  which  bore  a  silver  cross  and  a  card,  on  which  was  written  the  dead  hero's  name.  There  was  a  profusion  of  flowers  and  much  genuine  mourning 
on  the  part  even  of  many  who  had  resented  the  appearance  of  the  vessel  in  the  harbor. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  BY 


pacificos  and  rton-co  ubatants  was  indescribably  brutal, 


QUGAR  PLANTATION  IN  PINAR  DEL  RTO     This  io  Qn^i^Q^  +  ~;    i  j  .    ,  copyright,  issb,  by  a.  w.  curtis 

^    Sugar  has  always  been  a  staple  product  and  fortt  vear ™  AT  T  "  °f  CUba  might      today  M  fate  had  been  ki»der  to  it- 

being  very  extensive  as  well  as  rema  kably  produc  ve     rtf  ""-T     P10*"?0"  °f  ^at  magnitude.    The  plantations  vary  in  size,  some  of  then: 

for  an  army  of  average  size.  ^^<^l£^?iJ^X  &  7  *  ^  "*  Unde^°Wth'  efficiently  dense  to  afford  concealment 

volley  inJthe  ranJof  Spanish  ^^S^^S^^^^  ^  T"«  **  ^  ^         ^  fi^d  volley  after 


COPYRIGHT,   1698,  BY  G.  W.  CURTISS 

VILLA  IN  MATANZAS.    This  is  a  comparatively  new  structure  in  admirable  order,  without  the  symptoms  of  decay  and  old  age  which  are  to  be  found 
in  and  around  almost  every  building.     It  is  a  strictly  fashiouable  residence  of  one  story  with  overhanging  porch  and  massive  pillars.     The  window 
openings  are  as  large  as  the  doors,  and  much  more  numerous.     During  the  daytime  they  admit  an  abundance  of  light  and  air,  but  at  night  the  absence  of 
glass  makes  it  necessary  to  keep  the  shutters  closed,  and  the  ventilation  is  much  impaired.     Our  artists  were  invited  into  the  interior  of  this  ideal  little 
home  and  were  well  entertained,  although  their  limited  knowledge  of  Spanish  interfered  sadly  with  their  enjoyment  of  the  episode. 


RECONCENTRADO  HUT  AT  SANTA  CLARA.  This  picture  represents  in  more  ways  than  one  the  fertility  of  Cuban  soil  and  the  immense  variety  of 
_  the  native  product.  A  cheaper  home  could  scarcely  be  devised.  Such  were  hurriedly  constructed  by  the  peaceful  tillers  of  Cuban  soil,  who  were 
driven  into  the  cities  by  Weyler's  manifesto,  to  disobey  which  was  to  die  at  the  hands  of  Spanish  guerrillas.  The  poor  people  who  could  scarcely  subsist 
at  home  were  huddled  together  around  the  different  cities,  where  thousands  starved  to  death.  The  United  States  Government,  after  Weyler's  recall,  se- 
cured permission  to  send  food  to  the  sufferers,  but  the  relief  was  necessarily  slight,  and  ceased  entirely  when  war  uas  declared. 


A  VILLA  IN  RUINS.  This  is  the  picture  of  a  ruined  home  in  Victoria  de  la  Tunas.  Once  a  well-appointed  house,  it  has  fallen  a  victim  to  the  ravages 
of  war  and  its  walls  have  been  used  as  protection  while  shooting  and  fighting  has  been  rampant.  More  than  once  opposing  forces  have  fought  each 
other  from  within  and  without,  and  the  original  occupants  have  long  disappeared  from  view  entirely.  Like  other  houses  in  the  outlying  districts  of  cities, 
it  has  been  in  constant  danger  of  raids,  and  the  stronger  the  general  construction  the  greater  this  danger  has  appeared  to  be.  No  one  can  estimate  the 
number  of  houses  which  have  been  devastated  in  this  way,  o*  how  long  and  costly  will  be  the  process  of  restoration. 


L  !L  of  the  »o,M  ^  , MATANZAS.  This  is  an  admirable  picture  of  the  lepers'  hospital.  From  time  immemorial  leprosy  ^sTeZ* 'regarded  as 
here  H  us tratdTs  a  X^otS^V    ^T^*  "  f,^'.  a"d  the  ^  is  -variably  condemned  to  absolute  isolation.    The"  hospita 

th buU ine  seem   to  be  h         ,       >  as  though  ,t  were  situated  on  a  barren  rock  in  mid-ocean     In  the  calm  of  the  semi-tropical  night 

''All  lot abandon  ye  who  en  er  herl  »"    T  S°ht"de'  and  the  suPerstitio-  which  are  explained  to  the  visitor  are  easilv  accounted  for. 

All  hope  abandon  ye  who  enter  here,    is  a  legeud  wh.ch  recurs  to  the  miud  as  the  mo,t  natural  corollary  oa  the  place  and  its  surroundings. 


CACT„S  BY  THE  ROADS.DE.  The  soil  o,  Cub.  is  we,,  adapted  ,0, ■  <rr™*X~£l^£2S2^X2^tt 
C    rapidly,  some.in.es  assuming  a  great  height,  hut  in  a  majonty  of  .-tanoos  . ^enng  a.  n  ^°  ™  °cM*es  destroyer,  at  leas,  as  a  shin  irritant. 


istic  vehicle. 


COPYRIGHT,  1898,  8Y  G.  W.  CURTISS. 

gAN  JUAN  RIVER.  This  is  a  view  of  the  San  Juan  River  near  its  mouth.  The  country  in  the  foreground  is  of  interest,  as  it  is  said  to  be  the  actual 
birthplace  of  Cuban  freedom,  and  the  site  of  the  first  gathering  of  the  insurgents  at  the  commencement  of  the  last  insurrection.  Hurried  councils 
were  held  and  a  plan  of  campaign  mapped  out.  The  patriots  have  passed  over  the  ground  several  times  when  raiding  the  outskirts  of  the  adjoining  city, 
and  many  deeds  of  daring  are  recounted  in  connection  with  it.  The  scene  in  the  background  is  suggestive,  full  of  animation  and  a  faithful  representation 
of  the  general  outline  of  the  country. 


A  CUBAN  WAGON.  This  is  an  old-time  Cuban  wagon  or  cart,  of  a  type  little  used  in  the  cities,  but  still  common  in  the  poorer  inland  districts.  It  has 
some  points  of  resemblance  to  the  ancient  cart  sometimes  seen  in  New  Mexico  and  Arizona,  and  seems  to  give  general  defiance  to  modern  advance  and 
civilization.  The  massive  wheels,  the  cumbersome  brake  shoe  and  the  general  lack  of  symmetry  combine  to  make  the  old  Cuban  cart  compare  most 
unfavorably,  even  with  the  much  criticised  "prairie  schooner  "  of  the  Western  States.  For  hauling  light  produce  over  hilly  roads  the  vehicle  auswers  its 
purpose,  and  hence  its  survival. 


J-JARBOR  AT  SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA  (from  the  city).    This  is  a  splendid  view  of  the  inner  haibor  at  Santiago  de  Cuba,  with  the  mountains  in  the  rear. 

The  Spanish  fleet  under  Cervera  ran  into  the  harbor  during  the  month  of  May,  1898,  and  anchored  in  the  portion  of  the  harbor  so  accurately  portrayed 
above.  The  heroic  act  of  Lieut.  Hobson  in  sinking  the  Merrimac  at  the  entrance  to  the  bay  and  thus  effectually  bottling  up  Cervera  will  give  to  Santiago 
de  Cuba  a  historic  interest  second  to  no  city  in  the  Antilles,  and  this  view  imparts  much  valuable  information  as  to  the  harbor  and  its  surroundings. 


A  MATANZAS  HOME.    «.  -H.  ~  ^rKS^^tS&tSS^ 

A    a  Cuba,  merchant  of  considerable  means.    The  floor,  are  °™  ^ °    a  „  pretention,  one.  fa,  beneath  the  financial  poenbd* 


times  of  recent  date. 


9- 10  I  •* 


Compliments  of 


■ 

Established  1881 
Incorporated  1898  .  .  . 


F.  B.  NEWELL  &  CO., 


....  WHOLESALE  SHIPPERS  OF 


%o  %o  %o 


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